Trojans are reassured by Wittek's confidence

USC coaches and players are saying that quarterback Max Wittek, who will make his first start Saturday against Notre Dame, doesn't act like a freshman. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES - Max Wittek isn't tiptoeing into the USC-Notre Dame rivalry as he raised eyebrows Tuesday with his "we're going to win this ballgame" stance ahead of his first collegiate start at quarterback Saturday against the top-ranked Fighting Irish.

Experience is in short supply when discussing Wittek, but confidence apparently isn't. The Trojans are certainly lining up behind the redshirt freshman as he goes under center in place of injured senior Matt Barkley.

"We have a lot of confidence in Max," senior safety T.J. McDonald said after Wednesday's practice. "He's a confident guy. He's been waiting for his turn, for his opportunity. So we've got to support him 100 percent. We definitely got to bring our 'A' game."

It is a tall task to ask a 19-year-old who has thrown nine passes to salvage something from a disappointing season and also throw a dagger into the BCS title hopes of their intersectional rival. But the Trojans must do that with Barkley out because of a shoulder injury suffered against UCLA.

USC is getting a glimpse into its future beyond Barkley. So far, Wittek looks the part - at least in practice.

"He's been unbelievable," Coach Lane Kiffin said. "Had a great command of the huddle out there. He's been working really well with the skill guys. Does not seem like a freshman."

Kiffin said the air of assuredness that the quarterback exudes is something he has seen since he recruited him out of Mater Dei High, where Wittek succeeded Barkley as the Monarchs QB.

"Max is really confident, which is why he's been successful and part of why he's here," he said. "We've always seen that through him, through the recruiting process, watching him play high school. Even though he's young for his grade actually, he's very confident."

The Trojans might be doing all they can to boost Wittek, but this debut isn't against Colorado or Washington State. Notre Dame's stout defense, led by Heisman Trophy candidate linebacker Manti Te'o, has allowed only eight offensive touchdowns.

In other words, USC might have playmaking receivers in Marqise Lee and Robert Woods, but it's going to need a turnaround performance from its maligned defense against the Irish while Wittek finds his way.

EMOTIONAL FINALE

USC seniors McDonald and Horton will run onto the Coliseum field for the final time .

It figures to be an emotional experience for the two defensive leaders.

"It's kind of crazy," McDonald said. "I think about it sometimes. It just gets tough. You think about everything that you've been through here. It's my last time. The Trojan family has been so good to me and all the rest of the seniors.

"Definitely going to be a great feeling but a bittersweet feeling at the same time, knowing that it's my last time."

Horton, a starting defensive end, was reminiscing about "some of the big sacks I've had throughout the years in the Coliseum" and said "there's no better feeling probably in the world" than doing it in front of 90,000-plus people.

"No doubt, it'll be very emotional for me," he said. "I've been here for five years. Put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this program. I've loved every minute of it. It's going to be over real fast."

McDonald wants to win for himself and his father, Tim, who was on the losing end of all four meetings with the Irish from 1983-86. There's also the stain of losing to UCLA last week and avoiding defeats to both in the same season for the first time since 1995.

"This is a huge rivalry," he said. "My dad never beat them so he definitely has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to this rivalry. He just tells me, 'It's a big game. All of Trojan family is watching.' Everybody wants to see how the Trojans are going to play, how they're going to respond from last week.

"You just have to be able to go out there and make a statement. And everybody's got to do their own job. If you do that and put it together collectively, we'll be all right."

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